Friday

Tink - weighing up options

I took Tinka to the vet this afternoon and I was very proud of her. She didn't cry on the way in - or the way out - or leave anything in her box either. Of course I had to leave the cover half off the cage, and have my fingers in so she could lean up against them, and to rest her chin on them (and drool just a little). So, the Vet, was very good with Tinka and managed to get her blood on the first go. She weighed in at the same as last week - and her blood sugars were elevated again. So said that she did understand that Tinka gets stressed out by the vet visits - and she tries to keep that in mind when she's considering the readings. The upshot is that Tinka is now on 11 units of insulin two times a day, and she goes back next Thursday afternoon for another check.

I breakfasted in Nerang this morning and called in to collect the work mail from the BC. I found a red card (signature item to collect) there - and handed it in to the person in the "hatch" and before I could tell her what number - she told me what it was. i was stunned and asked her how she knew ... she touched her forehead and said "psychic". When she came back she said it had been quite easy ... with the name of the company emblazoned on my shirt. D'oh. But, still, she had done well to remember our box number! It was a fun way to start the day.

I also checked the Latimers box at the Nerang Post Office. I'm not sure M's post from the friends in Broadbeach will be of use to her while she is in Turkey - although there may be an invitation for her to take part in some promotion or other.

Well done Sooz!

Sooz was busy today - she cleaned out the front and the back areas so they are now pleasant areas to hang out in - there's room to put a cuppa and bikkies on the table again! She did a great job!

It was Br's last day , with us and she provided morning tea to "celebrate" - doughnuts - is there nothing they can't do? She will be missed ... and her help ... there's no way we could have powered through as much as we have in the past few weeks without her. We're not on top of End of Month - but we're in better shape than anyone could have expected. She wasn't the only departure this week ... Jim left yesterday - he is going back to Rockhampton - and University. One of the engineers has also resigned and he leaves next week. Who said there is nothing as constant as change?

Well, tomorrow is the big day ... our unit is under the hammer (going to auction) ... fingers crossed!

 

Thursday

Sooz had made spaghetti bolognese for dinner - which was good because it was a little late (but not greatly) by the time I arrived home ... I worked back again tonight trying to get just that little bit more out of the way while it was quiet - which it might have been had there not been a night shift on.

We have now locked in the details of Kezza's visit - and we're very much looking forward to seeing her again. I wonder where our Scrabble Board is ... that's if we actually do have a Scrabble Board!

Wednesday

Most eyes were one the television tonight - either for The State of Origin Football match - or for Offspring. Sooz watched Offspring - while I caught up with some episodes of something Star-Trekky. I'm not game to start watching the next episodes of Breaking Bad because I know I would just keep watching ... way way into the night - and the next day - and the next night. This is what comes from having multiple seasons lined up ready to go. Of course, Maggie might enjoy the company.

The girls made it to Aqua today and Em went as well.

Sooz had made spaghetti bolognese for dinner - which was good because it was a little late (but not greatly) by the time I arrived home ... I worked back again tonight trying to get just that little bit more out of the way while it was quiet - which it might have been had there not been a night shift on.

We have now locked in the details of young Kezza's visit - and we're very much looking forward to seeing her again. I wonder where our Scrabble Board is ... that's if we actually do have a Scrabble Board?

Tuesday

The best laid plans of mice and men, as they say ... so instead of cabbage rolls for dinner tonight we made our way back to the Advancetown Hotel where they have a range of $10 specials. Sooz had the Steak, l had the Schnitzel. It wasn't bad ... but it wasn't cabbage rolls!

I wonder if Sooz is missing Mouse's cooking too. But at least Pearl is still enjoying it, thanks to the cooked dinners Mouse sent home for her. We have been rationing the packets so they should last a while longer. Hmm, 1 wonder if we could help her with it? (We don't eat much.)

Syl and An came out to Latimers today to pick up the Caravan to take it for a service before they take it out next week. They are planning to bring it back tomorrow.

Did I mention there was no Aqua yesterday - the instructor was not well. She had texted An and Sooz to let them know but it wasn't until later that Sooz remembered Em had said she wanted to go to Aqua as well; but the good news is that there was another class on after the girls' usual one so Em could have gone to that if she had the time.

I didn't realise how busy work would continue to be. We have Br until Friday lunchtime - then she's off to get ready for the Islands Cruise she leaves on on Saturday. She has been a great resource - and she's not finished yet.

Pearl's still good about getting up in the morning, coming for a walk with me before having some of her breakfast and then going back to bed.

The other furries are well but not in the same bed twice for the most part. Maggie had been sleeping on the cat bed in the living room. She moved down the back into the armchair the other day and stayed there most of the night. Poor thing, we think she is missing M - she's been crying during the night a couple of times and we think it' sb ecause she gets lonely. She went to come in with us a few nights ago but Tinka was already settled. As soon as Maggie saw Tinka, she left.

There is no shortage of mist in the valley these mornings and it' squire different each day. I think we might be about to start building up to frost too because some mornings the dew on the grass looks much "denser".

Monday

Fl was off celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary tonight and thought that was a good enough reason to miss Trivia. While we wish them well, it isn't really but in a way it was good he wasn't there to see us manage our lowest score ever for an individual round. That would be 1 out of a possible 10. The only good thing about it was that we had definitely decided not to take it as a bonus round - thereby saving ourselves the embarrassment of a score for the round of 2 out of 30! What's that word that St loves to bandy around at Trivia ... mediocre. Yes, we certainly reached those heady heights tonight.

The tourists would have been well-placed to be out on the Crossing Road this evening - it was a perfect night with the sky filled with stars - and not a cloud to be seen. There weren't any though - tourists that is - which is good because sometimes I worry about them being out in the dark ... with the snakes out there with them - but it's probably a bit cold for them now.

It was another busy day at work today. We're now in the immediate lead-up to the End of Month and Br and I are working as fast as we can to get as much as we can into the system. That will make the EoM accounts a bit easier. Hopefully (she said as positively as she was able).

Pearl and Sooz had an altercation this evening - Sooz turned her back while Maggie was eating so she could call Tinka in ... and Pearl muscled Maggie out of the way and started eating her dinner. Hmmm. Not good enough. She was taking no notice of Sooz so, and perhaps it was bad timing, I stepped in and gave her the "she's not #1" scruff. I don't like doing it to her but someone has to and I got the distinct impression that Sooz didn't want to be it. She'd had a busy and distressing day on some levels - after talking with her Mum, and then worrying about what price we should put as a reserve on our flat which goes to auction on Saturday. The good news is that we are getting closer to a decision.

Otherwise all is well here at Latimers ... except Sooz really misses the television in the living room. She is watching in M's room when she needs to - but that means that Maggie isn't with her having her couch cuddle.

 

Sunday

It was another day of turning the alarm off for another few minutes - it seems to be getting to be something of a habit of late. The good news is that even with the little sleep-in, I managed to be in time for the Skype call with Tr - and we only made it to the Markets a few minutes late. It did not, however, escape Az's attention.

Mouse and M were missed! At first no-one wanted to sit in Mouse's chair, but then, as more people arrived, first Ni, and then, when she left and after a massage, Mi took the chair. Az took some photos of the group - which I thought were going to end up on FaceBook, but I haven't seen them there yet. It has been a bit busy around here.

Syl and An were at the Markets. They had gone to dinner last night at The Advancetown Hotel - and they didn't mind it either.

Fl did his usual sterling job of doing the coffee run this morning - made earlier because Mouse and he had remembered the Murse handover.

Sy left the Markets early and she was out at Latimers when we arrived home - doing whatever she does up there. She now has a supply of milk and a kettle up in the caravan so she can, she told us, make a cuppa whenever she needs one.

Sooz and I talked about the option of going to a movie this afternoon, but in the end we decided just to go home and do some things around the house. It was good that we had, too, because we received a Skype call from M who is currently somewhere along the Eastern border of Turkey - near Syria. They are having a fine old time - given that they are in among history everywhere they look. M's new camera looks good in the photos as well..

The furries are doing well ... being their usual selves, changing where they sleep to keep us on our toes and wondering what it is they are up to.

Saturday

Tinka's vet day.  I didn't tell her but did keep her inside after she'd had her breakfast (but not her insulin - luckily I had remembered that she wasn't to have it).  She cooperated by going back to bed in M's room - to bad if Pearl had wanted to use it this morning.  Once I had her in the cage (which I carried in ever so quietly), Pearl was ultra interested and followed us out to the car - and then parked herself on the ground behind it.  I assured her that Tinka would be okay and she would be home soon.  I remembered to cover her cage with a cloth for the drive in - and lined her cage - and we were there exactly at 8am.  She cried most of the way in.  Luckily, we didn't have to wait long ... they saw her first up - weighed her (she'd gained 100g - they were happy about that), took some blood (it took her a couple of times), she was 21.5 - higher than they wanted but no doubt elevated because of the stress of the blood taking.  The good news is that she no longer has the ear fungus so we don't have to give her the ear drops any more (and there was great rejoicing throughout the land).  Her insulin has been increased to 10.  On the way home, she was crying a little bit - so I picked up the corner of the cloth to check her .... and she stopped crying - so I left it up for the rest of the trip home. 

She was good going through the drive-thru at Maccas too - she understood that we needed to to pick up Hotcakes for Sooz's breakfast.  We had almost gone to breakfast with Syl and An but we didn't quite get there ... but we did get to see them later today when they popped over to Latimers to do more "stables stuff".  It was funny actually, when Mac's guy came to do some clearing yesterday, he asked her if she was the "lady of the house" - she responded with no, she was the "lady of the stables".

I did manage to get to shooting today even though it looked as though there would only be the 8:30 session to go to. Syl had offered An to take Tinka to the vet, but since I know how stressed Tinka gets, I wanted to take her myself.  When I rang after Tinka and I made it home, the Club said I could do the ISSF match at 11 - so off I went ... only to find the match wasn't on until 1.  Rob offered to give me some coaching if I was interested - yes please - so we did that for the next 45 minutes.  Then - lunch - a $3 BBQ at the Club ... and then on to the match. I was one of 7 - and it was a real eye-opener. There were 12 rounds of 5 shots each.  In the first four you had 150 second for five shots; then in the next 4 - 20 seconds, and then the last 4 ... 10 seconds.  I didn't do too badly though. This was the first time I had shot holding the pistol with one hand, over 25m, so I was quite pleased that I hit the bullseye 3 times (out of 60 bullets).  I really loved it  ... and am looking forward to next week's Kindy.  Syl did ISSF Kindy today and she loved it too.

While I went off to do Swipestakes at The Big House, and to put those points on M's card - Syl and An were off at Latimers - doing whatever it is that Syl does out there now that they have the caravan ready for their trip. We had a cup of tea when Syl was finished - and that kept her up most of the night because it wasn't decaf.  Apparently we do have it here (I think M must have made sure it was in stock).  

Even though the dance was on tonight, no-one was up for it.  Sooz and I stayed in (well, it was Saturday night) and Syl and An took themselves off to the Advancetown Hotel for dinner!

The furries are all good and they didn't mind the early night either - or going in to watch a DVD with Sooz in the bedroom - she has to watch there now because after many many years of faithful service, the television has finally given up ... while Australian Story was on.  That makes two now ... first the microwave, now the television ... I just hope the third thing is something small-ish.  

Friday

Balloon over Nerang

The balloons were over Nerang again this morning; they were amazing against the clouds backdrop.

The HO folk were able to go out on site today to see what happens out where the excavators meet the roadbase. They enjoyed it - and it was good they were able to go today because Ka is back at Head Office on Monday, and Br finishes with us at the end of next week. With their help, we have been able to make good inroads into the backlog - there's still a way to go though, but we are getting there.

Well, there was no Big House again this evening. I had left it up to Sooz as to whether she wanted to go or not - and she thought that I would go anyway. How wrong she was! When she told me she didn't want to go, my heart sang! There's always tomorrow … but even I know that that will have to be it because I am definitely running out of days to do M's points pick-up.

But we did go out to dinner …. just closer to home. We took ourselves off to the Advancetown Hotel - which wasn't having Trivia tonight so it was okay to go without fear of getting swept up in the excitement. It wasn't as busy as I thought it would be given it has been taking the slack since the RSL has been under redevelopment. The menu is very different now especially with the "2 for $20" they have during the week. I hadn't even given the Hotel a thought while Sooz was away - that just goes to show how tired all work and no play at work makes me a person.

The furries were in fine form today although little Tinka is still not a fan of the ear drops. They have been making good use of their tray - and they continue to drink water as though we are about to go into a very long drought!

Thursday

It was a bit of a later start this morning - not that I had missed out on sleep - but I think I didn't sleep as deeply as I do when the others are around. When the alarm went off this morning, I snoozed it, and then the next time, I snoozed it again. It's not often that I turn the alarm off twice - especially on a work morning.

Pearl didn't bark through the night - but if she did, it wasn't loud enough or long enough to wake me up. There was no missing her barking this morning though … B's people had one of the vans out, taking hay to the horse - and Pearl was standing outside the back door barking like there was no tomorrow. She did well!

Balloon over Nerang

Or it may have not been the van - it could have been Pearl telling me that there was a bee in trouble out the back. I found it when I went to check the water bowl … the bowl was off its stand (it was okay), there was water spread over the tiles, and in the middle of it … a bee. I gave it the hose to hang on to, moved it over to dry tile, put it down, and it righted itself. I left it there to dry out as I refilled the bowl and moved on to the next one.

There were balloons over Nerang this morning. There have been a few lately - it must be the season for it.

It was another busy day at work and its not going to be any less so tomorrow. It's time to get some reports out of the system; that should be a very interesting exercise.

Sooz arrived back from the Sunshine Coast this evening. They had a good trip and achieved lots, but she was a bit on the tired side when I collected her from the drop-off point so we made a joint decision to give The Big House a miss tonight as well. At this point, there's always the weekend.

Sooz took a couple of photographs while she was away - one of them shown here. The likea pandanas pine or two.

Tinka is still wary of me since I have been doing her ears and even with Sooz back it doesn't look like she is going to let me off the hook. She slept in on M's bed again last night! I keep telling her it's "for her own good" - in a nice way - but she doesn't seem to want to accept that as a reasonable excuse for invading her personal space!

 

Wednesday

I decided to go to the cafe near the Post Office this morning to see if I could catch up with Peter aka Mac and hand over the money M had left for him. It wasn't pre-arranged and when I arrived, the barista told me that Mac usually comes at about 8 o'clock and then sometimes several times during the morning. I was prepared to come back tomorrow - but just as I was packing up at a quarter to 8, the barista called to me that Mac was there. It was just as well he did let me know, because we know I can be a little unobservant sometimes. So ... job done. For Marilyn! That would be M ... so now we could take it that "Marilyn" has no reason for concern about forgetting Peter's wife's name! Marilyn! Hmm, I guess I could have corrected him but I didn't ... and I didn't ask his wife's name either.

Pearl and I were out walking this morning before the Sun came up. There was a gentle mist in the valley - only part of it though - not anywhere near B's - just near La's and Latimers. It was very pretty (even Pearl thought so) and I would have taken a photo if I'd thought it would come out at all. We did bring in the bins though - it was too dark to do them last night. (That's what I'm going with anyway.) Pearl was little help at all with it though ... usually she tries to bite the wheels ... this time she was just walking - very slowly - in front of me. I think it could have been that she was waiting for her breakfast.

Pearl and I were out walking this evening after the Sun went down. I rushed home straight after work but still it wasn't early enough to do the walk in daylight. It wasn't completely dark though - otherwise I probably wouldn't have gone without a torch.

It makes a long day for the furries when there's no-one around - especially since Je didn't come today as planned. She's planning to come one day later in the week.

Sooz called from Mooloolaba Surf Club this afternoon. The team had finished early, gone back to their digs to drop their stuff, and then headed straight to the beach. They had watched the sunset - beautiful - and gone for a walk before deciding they would have dinner at the Club. There was something for everyone, Sooz said. She had duck curry and the others had dishes just as yummy. She ended up buying some magazines to read back at the digs tonight ... and she left Je and Suzanne playing with their laptops and doing physiotherapy talk when she went to her room for the evening.

It was a quiet night at Latimers. I decided I was too tired to go in to The Big House so I spent the evening with the furries. Tinka was giving me a wide berth - she was still more than a little indignant that I had insisted on doing her ear drops. She wouldn't even come in to the bedroom when it was LockDown ... she slept on M's bed instead.

Can those furries drink water or what? When M said that they do drink a bit I had no idea that she meant litres and litres of the stuff - even when it isn't Casino water! Mind you, that's probably how they're ensuring they keep up their tray activity. Still, they are great company and I wouldn't be without them!

 

 

Tuesday

It is official. I am addicted to “Breaking Bad” (BB). I started watching it the other day and managed to stop after only one episode - but last night, I powered through three more. It is compulsive viewing - once you get used to the violence and “ick”. I don't know much about chemistry but I have now learned (maybe not wisely because it may not be true), that if you try to dispose of a body using hydochloric acid in a bathtub, the results will be disappointing … especially if you liked your bathtub.

Sooz and I managed to make it to Maccas by 6:30 this morning - after having completed all the pet patrol activities. Who knew the furries had seven water bowls between them - and that they drink so much! I noticed though that they are not drinking quite as much water out of the bedroom bowls now that it has been switched from Casino water to normal water! I can't imagine what they would be like if we managed to secure a supply of Zen (the very best on the Coast) water for them!

Jen picked Sooz up as planned, and had the new research assistant with her - Suzanne - who arrived on Saturday from France. She is, as would be expected, a Francophile, as well as being a exercise therapist in training - so that will be good for Sooz when it comes to practicing her French.

It was another busy day at work - but we are managing to feel as though we are making a dent in it! I have come up with a new/different strategy for dealing with some of the dockets we get heaps and heaps of - and I will start our Head Office helpers on that tomorrow. One of them will come in a bit later as she is swinging by HO in the morning to grab us some more trays and a concertina file or three. It's cheaper than buying them! And who knew how expensive office chairs are? Unfortunately Ka won't be picking up a couple of those from HO.

It was too dark by the time I arrived home to take Pearl for a walk - outside anyway - she did walk up and down the house with me a few times as I checked water and did other little jobs around and about. I ended up not going out - I'd picked up some vegetable soup and Singapore Noodles on the way home - and Pearl and I ate together - and the cats took turns sitting on the table throughout the evening as I watched BB, caught up with some paperwork, and did the usual letting Maggie in … letting Maggie out.

M called from Turkey to see how it was going - and reminding me that Pearl is a “watch dog” (and she does like to watch!) in case I was feeling nervous. She still has a bit of jet lag but hopefully another day will take care of that before she sets off for Marden (?) on the other side of the country. Hopefully there will be some good photos from the visit - and that she has a great time.

Sooz called as well to say she was safely ensconced on the Sunshine Coast and having a good time - except the televisions weren't working at Transition House - when the change from analogue to digital happened (last year?) - they hadn't upgraded. She was planning an early night - with perhaps just a little reading on the iPhone.

I didn't make it to the Post Office today - but I will do it every second day - and the roadside mailbox every other day. The bins didn't make it in either … they can come in in the morning.

Monday

The old system has been reinstated at Maccas - you can now order your McCafe coffee and food at the same counter … and there was great rejoicing throughout the land! Apparently there had been so many complaints about the new system that they chose to change it. Of course it's not exactly the same as it used to be - you still have to collect your food from the other counter - you just don't have to order it there. I suppose you can't have everything - let alone “fries with that”.

I was up a few minutes earlier than usual this morning - to start putting a new routine in place for the furries. M usually does the morning shift so it's a bit of a change to have responsibility for the morning shot, feeds, and cleaning out the litter tray. It will be different tomorrow though - I have to drop Sooz off to Maccas in the morning so she can get a lift to work with Jen. It will be a bit of an early start for her … and I haven't told her yet, but I'm thinking of roping her into something to help out … or not.

Trivia was okay tonight except a little challenging in the end round - “Timeline” - when you had to put the right year with the right event - and the others were calling out the years and events - but since I couldn't see the picture sheet - it was all a bit difficult. Ah well, in the end it really didn't matter because we were one or two points off the podium. We were a little surprised at that (how close we were)… but not surprised when Fl started doing the post-mortem - including that if we had chosen “Timeline” (for which we managed a perfect score) as a double, we would have won by four points.

It was a bit odd coming home this evening from Trivia knowing that M wouldn't be at home. I think the kids were pleased to see us home though - except when it was time for Tinka to have her ears done. Sooz stayed up to watch a bit of Q&A and I may have stayed up with her a little except that the guest tonight was Joe Hockey talking about budget. Definitely time for bed.

Sunday

The day is finally here ... the packing is done, the arrangements are all made, and the instructions written out and recapped. Time for Mouse and M to set off for Turkey and the Mediterranean!

The not-Markets

Mi had transferred the Markets experience to the Airport; she'd stopped at the Markets on the way to pick up Olga - she was taking her to the airport while we took M - getting last minute instructions as we drove. M seemed to be exhausted - not difficult to imagine given the number of late nights and busy days she's been having in the lead-up to the trip. Still, hopefully, she'll be able to sleep on the plane.

After seeing them off through the departure gates, Sooz and I set off back down the coast ... we called in at Harvey Norman's - I needed a replacement stylus - and then on to The Big House for a salmon and prawn lunch for Sooz and something else for me. Then it was quite late and time to go home to be with the kids (that wouldbe the furries). Theywere a bit unsettled tonight but that didn't stop Tinka from being Tinka when it was time to put her eardrops in. She flattened her ears against her head and was determined not to co-operate. However, she hadn't counted on me being as determined as she. All I can say is that I'm really glad we don't have to give her the tablets she was on last week. I don't think she would take them regardless of what subterfuge we tried.

 

Saturday

Shooting again today. It was great - and not just because I had Mark again. Syl and I were there early to make sure we got a spot and ended up helping with setting up the targets. It's funny but I hadn't realised the last two times that there are a couple of poles on the range - so you have to be careful when you set up the targets that they aren't obstructed.

After Syl and I graduated from safety class, I went back out to Latimers to collect Sooz and she and I had a coffee as we waited for M to meet us at Harvey Norman. We had two things to do - help her buy her new camera (Panasonic TZ60 ... way cool!) and to hand over the avocado bag that she's returning today. Jobs done!

Back to Nerang (lunch at Luv A Coffee) for Sooz to have a haircut while I puddled around the shopping centre. It was good I had because I found a car boot organizer and I needed one to clean out the boot so there will be enough room for M's jam-packed-full-to-bursting (I think) bags on the morrow.

Mi and Fl drove Mu out this afternoon to check out the fishing in the river down the back. Apparently there are fish down there ... washed in when the water was let out of the dam ... and they found two deep-ish water holes behind M's and B's, and made a home there rather than swimming further down stream. That was how M explained it anyway - and Fl and Mu definitely saw fish jumping down there this afternoon!

M went back into Surfers this evening to see Mouse, then on to the Big House to do some photocopying and her final Swipestakes, before making it home in time to tell me a couple of things about the programs and apps currently on her iPad, and what could be deleted if we needed more space.

OMG ... the pudding Anita made was amazing. I had it slightly warmed with a little ice cream this evening and I was looking for a second bowl ... but there wasn't one. Sooz was saying this was the first time An had made that particular dessert and she wasn't happy with it because it wasn't "chocolatey" enough. Hmm ... she is a harsh critic!

Friday

It was Family n Friends Dinner at Zen tonight. It will be the last time we do this for a while because it's only a couple of days before Mouse and M leave on their trip. Fl and Mi's boys stopped in for a coffee with us just as we were finishing up (before the fruit arrived) to say goodbye to the travellers.

It was another busy day at work. That's all we seem to have these days. But we're getting some more help on Monday with another pair of hands (with a person attached to them) from Head Office. All going to plan, we should begin to make a big indent on the 200 outstanding invoices in the system by the middle of the week.

Syl and Mau came out to play with the caravan at Latimers this morning. Syl took Sooz back to their's for lunch - and gave her a lift back after. She loved it! But who wouldn't love a roast chicken lunch, complete with baked vegetables, and followed by chocolate pudding. It's no wonder Sooz put herself down for a quick nap after they dropped her home. It was Syl and An this time and Sooz thinks they were doing things with the caravan - but she isn't sure - that's how quickly sleep overtook her.

M was wanting to remember to pick up the tickets today so I sent her 5 emails - each related to tickets in some way - and with the word "ticket" or "tickets" in the title. Alas, she didn't read them this morning ... but the good news is that she did remember to get them! She does seem to be a little bit on the non-relaxed side .... possible because the new bag is not suitable - it is perfect at rolling but can't be lifted easily - or at all - because the only handle is on the "top" so you have to be a very strong giant to lift if off a luggage carousel or onto a bed for un/packing. M's returning it. She'd bought another one for Mouse, too. The first one wasn't suitable - it was a wonderful bag and all - just didn't have an accessible side pocket for Mouse's puzzle books ... and we all know how much she enjoys doing those puzzles.

Thursday

Biopic - who knew that it was a "bio" "pic"? I only realised today watching coverage of the controversy surrounding the new Nicole Kidman film "Grace of Monaco".

Syl was out at Latimers today - checking the caravan - so M was able to see it "up" for the first time. She said it opened like it was a "deck of cards" - I took that to mean interleaved. Sooz has seen it open down at Palmers Island - even been in it.

The moon was simply magnificent tonight. The ptolemy was in full effect so the moon looked huge on the horizon - and bright. And full. It really doesn't get much better than that ... driving on an almost country road on a moonlit night.

The three mares in La's paddock next to the lane road are well in foal. They are getting bigger and even if you didn't know they were pregnant - you'd be able to tell ... and that they just haven't been overdoing the lucerne. Two of them came down the fence line with Pearl and I this morning. Surprisingly, one of them was Choo Choo.

The Big House Dinner was good tonight - but it wasn't at Zen because Family n Friends dinner is planned for there tomorrow night. So it was Spinners - M had Fajitos while I had Butter Chicken - which was quite different this time than what I remembered. Not the first time it's happened of course ... but usually not at Spinners.

Wednesday

Equal Second is definitely much better than equal Fifth. We were playing Trivia at the Tallai Country Golf Club and we were six tonight. I don't think we made a bad fist of it - even though we didn't come anywhere near getting the Jackpot questions right - but no-one else won the Jackpot either - so there's still $840 up for grabs next week!

It was another day at work - where we finally got some clarity about how Head Office wants the account process to happen - most of it we are already doing so that shouldn't be a big adjustment. The good news is that we learnt some shortcuts with the accounting package so that will make the whole data entry side of it a little faster ... we just have to think about how we do the entries - what wording we use - to allow us to interrogate the data down the track if we need to.

It rained again today - more at Latimers than at work - but it was still spitting as I drove home.

I was pleasantly surprised as I drove in this evening to find the Christmas lights on ... it's usually me who puts them on - or M when she is going out - but she was still at home ... and there were the lights ... which I couldn't see from higher up the hill, but when I drove in the gate, they were on. M was still at home - and it turns out it was her that had turned them on (when they heard the car coming?) - but in any case it was fantastic - and I made sure I thanked them - and Sooz is going to put it on the list of things for her to do while M is away. Thank you - it makes it feel like "coming home" when the Chrissy lights are on - to me anyway.

Br socks and boots

I went to clear out work's post office box today and was stunned to find a mobile coffee van set up - and operating - in Australia Post's carpark. I didn't get one - I was on my way to Maccas (double click Wednesday) - but others were. It's a great idea - have people who are coming there anyway - and offer them a quick coffee to take with them.

Br (from Head Office) is still with us this week - and she is taking precautions to make sure she doesn't fall foul of the fauna by tucking her jeans into her socks. It would be interesting to know if Ja, who was also bitten by a bitey thing and had to go to hospital too earlier this week, is taking similar precautions.

 

Tuesday

Another busy day. And that was before I arrived at work! Pearl came for the walk down the lane this morning and I was very proud of her. I had walked ahead because she was in the middle of something, and when I turned back to check on her, there was a car coming up the lane. She was off the road at that point - and I was pleasantly surprised when she didn't wander onto the road in front of it - something she has done on other occasions. After that, I didn't mind that she chased it up the lane to where I was waiting for her. She's found something interesting in the horse paddocks to the left on the way up to B's both yesterday and this morning. There doesn't appear to be anything of interest up there - to me, but obviously I don't have Pearl's superior sense of smell.

Jo was missing from the line-up at Maccas this morning; she'd developed a toothache on the weekend, spent Mother's Day crying with the pain, until she could finally get in to the dentist yesterday morning. He's suggested a root canal and even though Ly says the best thing to do would be just to yank it out, it seems Jo has not yet made that decision. Hopefully she will be back on deck tomorrow - even she wouldn't want to miss out on "Double Click Wednesday".

What did I say yesterday about rain? When I turned off the main road this afternoon, the first thing I noticed was dark patches on the road ... rain! It hadn't rained at work but from the wet patches and the puddles of water still around, you could tell that it had rained quite seriously! Sooz was very pleased because she had been holding off on watering the garden - which really does need a good soaking - as the forecast keeps being for "rain". I am stunned though that it could be so wet here and nothing touched Carrara - a story we are used to hearing more in the reverse - because it's supposed to always be wet in Carrara.

It was another hectic day at work - but it could have been busier ... some of the functions of the new Financial system are not working as predicted and in the end I sent Ka back to Head Office/home because there was nothing left for her to do until we know the entire system is up and running again. Hopefully that will be tomorrow because there is much to do.

Sooz cooked pasta tonight ard it was wonderful; I am looking forward to the leftovers for lunch tomorrow - but that wasn't all; she also made apple turnovers - yum! Ard as if that wasn't enough, she had also ironed my work shirts. (Thanks Sooz!)

I left Sooz to do lockdown this evening - once I'd finished the kitchen ard cleaning up, I called it a night at 9:30 - not even having a Milo! I did call Tinka though, but when she didn't come I handed the responsibility to Sooz. She must have done well because at one stage during the night, I moved my feet in bed and Tinka was there!

 

Monday

Trivia. We were our usual team again and while we weren't on the Podium at the end of the evening, we came a credible equal 5th. It could have been because we made bad choices about our doubles rounds, or that we didn't interrogate our answers closely enough, or maybe just because between the 6 of us, we just didn't know the answer. Anyway, it was good to have all the folk back, and I think I can safely say that a good time was had by all. Especially me as I won a free cake and coffee when I swiped my card tonight.

It was a busy day for me. I took a trip up to Ormeau at lunchtime to see the Doc and what I thought would take an hour and a half (or so) ended up taking closer to two and a half hours. I phoned before I left Nerang and she was on schedule ... but between then and the time I arrived it went pear-shaped because I ended up waiting just over an hour to see her. I tried to do something productive as I waited but ... it's good to relax too! Especially as I had spent the morning getting Ka and Br set up with what they needed to do for the day - and checking back with them to make sure there were no issues. But the delay did give me time to get my thoughts in order and write down the five things I needed to talk with her about. (It's been a while.) My arm is still tender from where I had my flu vaccination.

Even though there have been multiple predictions fo rain for the last few days and for the next few as well, nothing has yet eventuated - and that's a shame because when M mowed the other day, she had hoped it would so the grass wouldn't burn. Unfortunately it has a little. She'll probably have time to fit one more ROM before she sets off. As it is, Syl has overtaken her now with the whipper-snipper-ing. She was out here today while the girls were off at Aqua, doing a bit of a tidy-up. Unfortunately I didn't get to see it today because it was dark when I arrived back at Latimers.

Sunday

Happy Mother's Day or is that Happy Mothers' Day?

M was up late doing what she often does before she goes off to see the family - packing, unpacking, repacking ... trying to get everything she wants to take with her into the bags. Sooz and I heard the first rattling around and crackling of wrappings but after that I was fast asleep and I'm not sure how long it went on. We just know that when 9 am rolled around this morning, M was still fast asleep in bed. Sooz woke her as gently as she could before we set off for the Markets.

Well, even though Fl and Mi had said they were going to be late to the Markets because they were picking Lu up from the airport (He's back!! He's back from Boston) they were actually there before us!! And certainly well before M!!

We had stopped on the way in to get flowers for Mouse for Mother's Day - and we were not the only ones! Mouse was all but surrounded by them ... as well she should be because lots of us consider her our honorary mother - and not just those of us who go to the Markets. Over the years, Mouse has taken in and cared for children when their own parents have been going through difficulties of one type or another. She is a very special woman.

We were a full house at the Markets - as well as the usual crowd, Syl and An came, Lu and girlfriend Sa popped in, Ne and Va were there ... the list goes on! It was good. Except that when Ni came along she was bearing sad news - her father died last week, unexpectedly even though he was 93. She's not going over straight away - she had planned to go over in five weeks time, and she will still do that.

Afterwards, Sooz and I went off to TBH - we did the Swipestakes (no luck for anyone) and had lunch at Spinners - and that was very nice. They had a Mother's/Mothers' Day special on - salmon, a glass of wine and a dessert tasting plate - which Sooz had and which was fantastic - much better than the Shank Special she had been planning to have. I had the Club Special - which they had constructed with four pieces of bread - rather than the usual three - so the ratios were not quite right - but they still had the gherkins skewered on to the sandwiches - so I was happy.

Back at home, M was there, preparing to go out to Versace for afternoon tea with the family. I was a bit taken aback when I drove in to the yard because I noticed there was a car in my usual spot in the carport and it took me a couple of moments to work out it was M's. She hadn't parked in the garage because the rug was still in there ... and when she checked it was dry ... so we carried it into the house. M was right - you can see the patch where she scrubbed it - it's so much lighter than the rest of the rug.

We had a cuppa before she changed and went out ... and it was only later, when I was cleaning up after dinner and taking rubbish out, that I realised M and I had been Harrys (that would be Harry Half-Job) and not cleared the garage of the trestle tables the rug had been draped over ... so I moved them - not wanting M to have to get out and move them when she parked the car when she arrived home.

Sooz and I debated whether we would watch the Eurovision final this evening - I couldn't - not on a work night - especially since it was scheduled to finish after 11. We already knew who won - Az had mentioned it at the Markets - so it wasn't like we would miss anything - except the 10 acts from the first semi-final and the 6 acts of the countries that hadn't needed to compete in the finals - the big five ... and the winner from last year (this year's host country) Denmark.

Saturday

Yippee! Saturday! And time to go to the Pistol Club with Syl again. We were there a bit earlier today - and on the range and ready to start shooting soon after 9am. We can't start before 9 because of the neighbouring houses - there have apparently been complaints over the years about the noise from the Club - which would be a while since it has been in operation since 1963.

Both Syl and I enjoyed it again - and I think we both did better than we had last week - not that we're supposed to be shooting better - just being safer at this point. Yes, today was another lesson in safely handling firearms and having safety in forefront of mind on the range. We did a refresher on the ground we covered last week, as well as practicising "Stop" and "Unload" and/or "Start". The good news was that because we weren't the novices this week, we didn't have to sweep up and collect all the spent shells - the group that followed us got to do that.

Sooz was up and showered by the time I phoned home. She didn't go to Deep Water Running with M - she had a lie-in instead. And that was a good idea because it was quite a late night last night - thanks to House Rules - but it may have even been a bit later if we had watched Eurovision.

We met up with Syl and An at Southport Park for a coffee and what turned out to be lunch. It was good to catch up with An - and she is planning to bring Syl with her to Trivia this week. That will be fun - and even though we will be seven in the team (if both St and Ni come) - and will have two points deducted on our score for the game - hopefully that won't be an issue.

Tinka's bloods are back and her insulin has been increased again. And she is on drops for an ear infection - which M has now shown us how to apply as it is quite different from humans and dogs!

I should have had a nap this afternoon but I didn't - my own fault - so by the time Eurovision rolled around, I was already ready for bed ... but I managed to stay awake for most of the 15 semi-finalists - and I was definitely awake in time for the "Australian" segment. There is something quite special about the Eurovision - I've thought so ever since Sooz made me watch it on the "mobile home entertainment system" (in black and white) when we first started going out 24 years ago. The staging for this year's was totally amazing - based on a cube. Even though they did some very close shots and then switched to or from a wide shot - you couldn't see a camera ... but hopefully the performers could because were looking at the right camera at the right time ... all quite intriguing.

Friday

Br has not yet returned to site but word is that she'll be back on Monday. And it looks like Kas who was with us today from HO will also be back on Monday - so we should be able to make a big dent in the outstanding paperwork. Hopefully SB Lu will also be down, first thing Monday morning, to help explain some processes so we can use “best practice” with our paperwork deluge.

We did get on top of most of it today … in that we now know what stage everything is at … and that means we can now make a plan. It's good to have a plan.

There was good news during the afternoon - Mouse had made stew - and we were invited to dinner. Yes! According to Mouse, there may be one more meal at her place, as she has now started cooking down her kitchen stocks in preparation for their departure.

M took Tinka to the vet this afternoon - in case it was she who had had the “accident” on the carpet. Blood was taken but the results won't be known until morning. In the meantime, Tinka's insulin dose has been increased.

We watched some television as we ate dinner - House & Garden - and then we moved on to House Rules (another of those home renovation shows) … because none of us remembered (or mentioned) that Semi-Final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest was on! I don't believe we missed it - given that we knew it was about to be on, and we didn't want to miss Jessica Mauboy's performance … which turns out to be tomorrow night … so it's all good.

M may be one step closer to choosing a camera - it seems to be narrowing … but at this stage she could come home with anything!

Thursday

I'm not saying it was early when I got up this morning, I'm just saying that the crickets were still chirping. The birds didn't wake up until quite a while later. Quite a while. Pearl though jumped up to follow me out of the bedroom and straight to the back door and out. She didn't stay there though… she may have but I didn't have the heart to leave her outside while Maggie and Tinka had their little cat food broth breakfast … so she came inside and waited on the other side of the kitchen island; then she and I went for our walk. It is quite wonderful walking down the lane with the horses on either side of the roadway. sometimes they wander over to say hello and have a pat but today wasn't one of those days. Even the little blue finches were sleeping in or worming elsewhere!

It was a more exciting drive in than usual today. I had turned at the traffic lights near the high school into the path of a car on my side of the road. I honked my horn as I pulled to the left and it veered back on to its side; I've never been so glad I was paying complete attention to what I was doing.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful by comparison … and I didn't mind that - which is not to say that nothing else happened, just that it didn't leave me shaken!

Br, our Head office Helper, was released from hospital this morning - and went straight home (on Brisbane's north side). She may or may not be back tomorrow, depending on how she feels. She wasn't looking amazingly well today though. Ah well, if we don't have her, maybe Head Office will send us someone else - that's if they want to risk life and limb coming to site.

The television at Maccas has been changed from “Today” in the mornings to “Sunrise” - which is how I came to be watching the lead-up to Cosentino (the magician) preparing to do his new “30-second escape from the crate falling on flaming steel spikes” trick. I was tempted to ring M and let her know but in the end I decided not to because she would probably still be at the Buffet breakfast. As it turns out, she wasn't …. she was watching “Sunrise” before going out for her breakfast in the city. And, yes, Cosentino did survive - by teleporting himself through time and space … or maybe just space.

M caught an early flight back from Sydney (after her original, booked flight was cancelled) and Mouse picked her up from the airport - then Sooz and I met them both for dinner at Zen at The Big House. We also managed to swipe the cards but - alas - no-one won anything. Better luck tomorrow … and the next day … and the next day …

Dinner at Zen was good - fantastic in fact - and while M ordered the dishes she normally does, Sooz also chose one - a lemony Chicken thing. There's nothing like variety! And, of course, the water was good - although I would posit that it wasn't quite as excellent as it usually is. After dinner, Mouse went home, Sooz went to play with Dolly Parton (one of the new machines TBH has put in) and M and I went upstairs for a cup of coffee and a round of Numbers.

Then it was time for home where the furries gave M a big welcome after her days away in Sydney.

Wednesday

It's a little hard to give up my time at Maccas in the morning to go in to work early - but I chose to this morning so I could get a jump on the final figures for EOM. It was worth it - almost - it would have been more worth it if I had remembered AC was coming in later this morning - which meant I was dealing with folk arriving at the front desk, including our new helper from Head Office... yes, I know these interruptions are actually part of the business!... but it's hard to concentrate when you can't stay in "the zone". But we got there! And all by 10 o'clock so that was a bit of a bonus!

Ben's Banana Bread

As was the Banana Bread that Ben produced just before lunchtime. He had cut and arranged it much better than I could ever have done! Br, the helper from Head Office, didn't last the day with us. She went out for a walk at lunchtime, was bitten by something, had an allergic reaction and we ended up having to take her to hospital where they took her bloods, gave her an ECG, dosed her with adrenalin and something else ... and then decided to keep her in overnight for observation! You just never know what a day has in store for you!

Believe it or not, Sooz and I did not make it to The Big House again this evening. She had taken sausages out for dinner - but we ended up shelving them for Friday - and having leftover spaghetti from last night ... why is it that it always tastes better the second day?

Pearl enjoying MC

Sooz had a busy day on the phone today - she had a chat with the Kyogles (it was Mi's birthday), and she took a call from my Mum who was, ostensibly, ringing for a curry recipe, but we think it may have been about coming down to stay in a couple of weeks. As it turned out, that didn't come up. Sooz also went to Aqua today - An kindly came out and gave her a lift in, and then a lift back.

The sun was not yet up when Pearl and I went for our walk down the lane this morning. It's still getting darker in the mornings - and will continue to until 21 June and the Solstice. Just as well there are torches ... although Pearl seems to be able to see quite well in the dark. She does appear to be missing her mother though - or just be in a walking mood - she ran out to meet me when I arrived home this evening (just as it was getting dark) and as much as asked to go for a walk - possibly because she knew there was either a treat or dinner at the end of it. So, I obliged - and had to use my (keyring) torch for the last bit across the lawn to the house - doesn't hurt to be on the lookout for little leavings.

Maggie

And speaking of that, I cannot believe that in the three times I have checked the tray since M left - last night, this morning and this evening - there has been nothing in the tray! I knew putting in those gardens was a good idea!

It's getting colder too - I went to call Tinka in this evening - but was stunned when she came from somewhere inside - she was ready for lockdown obviously ... so I did what I could to oblige her ... it seemed only fair since Maggie was in one of those revolving door moods again this evening. She finally settled though - on the couch with Sooz - and we all watched "MasterChef" together - although we can't do it in real time anymore ... there are so many ads that there seems to be more of them than program. That can't be right can it? And when I say "we all watched", I think the furries actually spent most of the time dozing.

Tinka ... sleeping

Did I mention that when I went to use the microwave to heat up some of Mouse's soup the other night, it stopped working. The lights went out but I didn't see any of the magic smoke escaping. Anyway, I went out to the garage to find our microwave and there it was ... except I'd obviously removed the glass plate and put it somewhere for safe keeping. I've contacted an online warehouse to see if they can find a replacement plate - I know it is in the shed somewhere but until I clear it out properly (and we know the snake isn't there any more) - I don't want to go through all the boxes looking for it. Luckily, Syl and An, fresh from moving their goods and chattals from PI, have a spare which we have gratefully borrowed in the meantime - and An dropped it off today when she delivered Sooz home after swimming.

 

Tuesday

Pearl is asleep on her rug, Sooz is knitting as she watches television, with Maggie close by ... and the only furry who isn't inside is Tinka - but that really isn't that surprising. My guess is that she's out chasing that mystery something that keeps giving her grief!

M managed to jump on ROM today and did a great job. She also took Pearl for a hydrobath - it was free because The Tevs had won Clinic of the Year. And she did this all before she caught the plane. Plus bringing the rubbish bin in!

Sooz and I were going to go in to The Big House for dinner this evening and to do some of the great Swipestakes but Sooz decided she wasn't up to it. She had a bad reaction to some asthma medication she's taken today - not badly but enough. It resulted in palpitations and tremors but the symptoms decreased throughout the day. But even though we didn't get to TBH, we had a great dinner. Sooz cooked a fantastic spaghetti bolognese and we ate it as we watched MasterChef which has just started back for the year. When I say "we" there, that includes Maggie who obviously thought Sooz had hidden green vegetables in the sauce - along with carrots and whatever else she managed to get in there. I challenged her on it but she wouldn't tell me how many were in there just "some" and that she always does (but I knew that!).

I was back on litter patrol tonight but I came up empty because neither of the cats had used the box. That probably means there will be a little something extra in there in the morning.

It was another busy day at work and it will be even busier tomorrow as we race to finish the EOM accounts plus welcome aboard (and bring up to speed and familiarise with the Project) someone from HO who's going to help us out over the next three weeks. Never a dull moment!

I called it a night just after 9 and Tinka and Pearl followed me in, leaving Maggie and Sooz to watch television. Nighty night Latimers.

Monday

Busy busy busy. Just as well I didn't go in early otherwise it would have been a much bigger day. End of month is always like that though - and this is my first EOM with the Southbound Extension. Of course, it doesn't help that Le left without a handover on Friday ... but we do what we have to do.

M was kind enough to bring Sooz into Maccas with her this evening, and I picked her up from there. I had meant to leave work on time but there were a couple of jobs I knew if I finished today, would make it much easier for us to get a go-on in the morning. This won't be possible in a couple of weeks though - so I'm starting to look at ways to improve my system now ... just in case they are not able to find a Le replacement this week!

Trivia was great although we were a couple short as St and Ni were off in Port Douglas, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Luckily they texted to remind us - even though I had made to make a mental note (it didn't stick) when Ni mentioned it at the Markets a couple of weeks ago. It will be good to have them back ... although hopefully they were pleased to hear that we managed a second without them. There was only one point in it though - so, who knows, with them we very well could have managed a first! Still, it was great to be on the podium after not having been there for a couple of weeks!

Sooz and M did Aqua today and called in to The Big House afterwards for the great Swipestakes which is (are?) on again until the end of June. There have been a couple of wins so far (thanks M) but we're not going to have as many chances once M jets off overseas with Mouse. Hmmm ... I wonder how much longer it will take for me to get home if I go via The Big House each day. Would it be worth it? More consideration required.

There was some cat action at Latimers this afternoon As Sooz was waiting to come out she noticed two furry things come belting through the gate, at speed. It turned out to be Tinka and Maggie - I can't remember who was in the lead (that's a better way of saying "which one was chasing the other") but Sooz wondered if they were being chased by something ... or if it is Maggie who is causing Tinka's mystery injuries. When I checked her this evening, Tinka didn't appear to have any new ones - and the ones she does have appear to be healing nicely.

Pearl seems to be very much enjoying having the rug back ... it certainly does give her more room to eat her cookies. Word on the street is that there might be another one on the way for the other part of the living room - from Mouse. They do help to make the room seem warmer - especially given that we have just had the coldest day in May for ... I'm not sure how long. It was definitely cold in the office though - for the first time since I started I wore my sleeves not rolled up. I wouldn't have minded having a shirt on underneath it either. And, to cap it off, there is not hot water in the office - only cold water or boiling water ... so there wasn't even a chance to warm my hands up! D'oh. Still ... a good day!

Sunday

It was good to talk with Tr again this morning - it has been a while - before Easter. We were on our way to Toowoomba on Easter Sunday - and I was sick last week - so we had much to talk about. She had some interesting thoughts on the happenings in New South Wales government issues especially the resignation of Barry O'Farrell.

M had already left for the Markets by the time I had finished the call and finished getting ready. When I went in to ask Sooz if she was ready, she didn't look at all ... committed. I asked if she wanted to stay home. "Could I?" she asked - and almost as soon as I said yes, she was undressed and was back in bed.

It was icy cold outside - even though the thermometer in Lars said it was 21 ... lies, lies, lies ... but, of course, it was the wind chill factor. Jumpers were out all over the place today - especially at the Markets. I met Baba in the car park and he pointed to my jumper and asked "what's this?" and I pointed to his and said "same as you". The only person who wasn't wearing winter clobber was Mi who was in t-shirt and shorts. When M asked him if he was wearing a singlet - he pulled up his shirt to show off his bare stomach (and six-pack) and said "this is my singlet".

Pearl sat on the rug.

There were extra folk at the Markets today so the table was quite huge - probably bigger than it had to be but that was okay. It would have been better if it had been outside though - being inside and with the wind howling through - even though Flam had done his best to rig up a windbreak - it was more than cold.

As I was leaving, I stepped into the sunshine and instantly felt warmer. Then I heard a voice calling me ... and it was Fl and Mi who were already sitting at table out in the sunshine - it had been too cold inside for them.

I made a quick stop at OfficeWorks on the way home - to get some supplies for work - hopefully it will make it easier to keep track of orders, dockets and invoices - and to the supermarket to pick up a surprise for Sooz.

Then it was home - in time to have a cuppa with Syl and An who turned up to drop some things off. They checked the tyre on M's trailer as well - pumping it up - and diagnosing a leaking valve. Since Syl didn't have the tools handy to fix it, she left their trailer in case M needed to use one. They also brought back the rug for the living area - so Pearl will have that to eat her treats on now - rather than the door mat. It will be warmer in her bare tummy for Winter as well.

 

Saturday

It's a fine day to try something new - in that the rain has stopped - and I'm off to do something new. Shooting. It's not everyone's cup of tea. And who knew that it wasn't Sooz's cuppa. But she's happy for me to go - and An is happy for Syl to go ... which is great because I really enjoyed it today. It's not a place to joke around though - I'd decided that long before I got there ... even taking a moment to wonder about the clothes I'd wear. What does a shooter wear?

Bullseye

So why did I enjoy it? I think for me it's about accuracy. I was very happy with my performance - and so was my range officer (we shared one between two) - is this the first time you've shot a pistol - it's very good ... but when he offered me a rapid shoot of 10 bullets, I said no, preferring instead to shoot them in my own time to see how close to the bulls eye I could get. Was it beginner's luck that saw me get a bullseye? We will find out next time hopefully. And the good rhing is that we have now done the safety course and now something about safe gun handling. And they are guns or firearms ... not weapons - only criminals use weapons we were told by one of the instructors!

We took much longer at the Pistol Club than I'd allowed for when making a booking for Yum Cha today. We had to change it twice and the second time Sooz did a good job of changing the Yum Cha time and letting M and An know. I was calling from the range (at the pistol club, not to to be confused with the one at Toowoomba) where I know you aren't supposed to use your mobile - so I moved as far off the range as possible and called her to organise the rest. Thanks S! And it was a nice Yum Cha - not up to Sydney standards but not bad, not bad at all.

Something or someone seems to be taking bites out of Tinka. There were some fresh sites tonight - above her right eye and just near her left ear - so Sooz and I put Vaseline on them. We are going to have to keep an eye on these - and any others - to make sure they don't get infected. It's odd though because even though she's been showing up with scratches on her nose, the new ones don't look like scratches, they look more like graze or gnaw marks.

Maggie was in a funny mood tonight -she couldn't decide whether she wanted to be inside or outside. So Sooz and I took turns - or tried to but we lost count - letting her in, letting her out.

 

Friday

Well, that was a good walk spoiled. I coaxed Pearl out of the house this morning - it was still dark - and it turned out that was for a good cause. Red sky at night shepherd's delight, red sky in morning shepherd's take warning. Well ... I didn't expect it to be that quick. There was a storm off to the west, complete with thunder and lighting. Pearl and I had made it about a quarter of the way up the lane when the raindrops started falling on my head (and Pearl's) and we turned around and quickened our steps to home.

It was an interesting day at work today - "interesting" as in "may you live in interesting times". I'd been in for about an hour when Le came by my desk and said that today was her last day. Well, that was a bit of a surprise on some level - that it was so fast - but I had been saying to M and Sooz only last night that I thought that she was thinking of leaving. So, it will be interesting to see what happens now ... how fast they will be able to get a replacement and who that is. See, interesting times.

Dinner was at Mouse's tonight and it was marvellous. She had cooked rice soup - with loads of stock and vegetables in it so M was able to save me from most of the rice as she served. Then vereneki - some stuffed with cabbage, some not, a garden salad, and a Ferry Road chicken. then, as though we needed anything more after our cups of tea, Mouse produced some chocolate which had to be eaten as it hadj ust reached just reached its "Best By" date - yesterday. So, of course we had some rather than see them go to waste.

By the time we arrived back at Latimers it was quite late - the owl had even gone to bed ... obviously it isn't an all night owl. And neither are any of us apparently because none of us was long out of bed except me - because I hadn't opened the door wide enough as I was getting out of the car, I twisted my leg and it went into cramp ... which left once I stood up properly ... only to come back when I walked through the back door. l hobbled down the back and read some news headlines and checked the mail on the iPad until my leg uncramped. Tinka liked the captive audience ... more cookies for her!

Thursday

I'm not sure if she meant to leave a clue, but thankfully she did. As I was readying myself for a shower this morning, about to put the bathmat down, I realised it was folded in half. Hmmm. Somehow, my brain immediately responded with "Kathy". Yes, she was would have done it while she was doing the bathroom ... and that's when I remembered to check that the shower lever was set for "shower" not "spray you in the face with cold water". I'm usually much better than that - doing it straight after she's been - but at least I remembered before I turned the tap on ... this time!

It was another busy day at work but at least I feel now that I've caught up on things - after the day off with the Lurgy and the Public Holidays! Sooz had a good day at work - but from what she was saying, it was hard as well. This is the last time she will visit the Biggera Waters aged care facility where she has been interviewing for the Falls Prevention study - their part is done. There are some very interesting folk there and I think she is going to miss visiting them.

The owl was sighted again on the way home tonight - but not in its usual spot ... it was sitting on one of the posts, not on the rail ... making it just that little more difficult to see. M didn't back up to have a look as she didn't want to run the risk of scaring it.

There were Zen leftovers for Sooz tonight and she is very much looking forward to having them for lunch tomorrow. They were very good tonight - and the water was excellent. M tried to find out why it is so good - talked about it with two of the staff but they weren't giving up their "trade secret". Pity that - I know I've said it before and I'll say it again - it is the best water on the Coast!

Wednesday

Wednesday

Hump Day seems to be early this week which could have something to do with not having worked on Monday. At least there's one benefit to having that Lurgy ... which has dissipated somewhat but not completely left me for someone else! Wouldn't it be a moral (or is that ethical?) dilemma if you could only get rid of the Lurgy by giving it to someone else?

It was a quick turnaround after work tonight. l would have taken Pearl for a walk but it was already dark when I arrived back af Latimers. She seemed to be tired too because she didn't even rouse when I came in - until I gave her a big tummy rub. The fur on her tummy has still not grown back so she'll really need her woollies this winter. We'll have to make sure M leaves it out for us.

M managed to get a mow in today ... but she almost didn't because the grass took ages to dry today. ROM seems to be cutting better as well after the service!

It was good to go to Trivia tonight but I dare say it would have been better had we scored more than equal Fifth. But the bottle of wine will come in handy as long as I remember to take it inside rather than leaving it in Lars' boot for the duration. An suggested we stockpile it and (any) future consolation prizes for an end of year celebration. Seems like a great idea.

We did learn something though. Apparently if you want to extend the range of your car's remote, you press it against your temple as you press the button: the water in your head acts as a conductor and can up to double the range. Also, if you lock your remote in your vehicle or lose it, and you have another af home, someone can press it there into a mobile phone and when it plays through your mobile, it will unlock the car. Hmm. I'd like to see that.

An-m and N came to Trivia so we were 5. We've always said that Trivia is as much (maybe more) about group dynamics as knowing the answers - and that was borne out last night. We aren't interrogating the answers enough, probably through some misguided attempt to make An-m and N feel at ease - but not any more! We have a reputation to protect.